APOLLO — Apollo-Ridge scored twice in the third quarter to break open a close game and beat Western Beaver, 27-0, in a WPIAL non-conference football game Friday night.

Apollo-Ridge (2-1) took a 6-0 lead in the first quarter on Jonah Casella’s 23-yard run, and that score stood at halftime.

Duane Brown, a freshman, sparked the Vikings on the opening play of the second half, taking the kickoff 68 yards for a touchdown. Ben Gemballa followed with a 17-yard run and two-point conversion run to extend the lead to 20-0.

Gembella scored again in the fourth quarter on a 43-yard run, and Lonny Wells closed the scoring with the extra point.

Apollo-Ridge rushed for 336 of its 369 total yards. Gemballa led the way with 94 yards on onl;y four carries. Quarterback Jesse Zelonka gained 82 yards on 16 carries, and Casella finished with 74 yards on 11 attempts. Gareth Dilick tacked on 53 yards on four carries.

Junior Tre Tipton, a preseason all-state selection at defensive back, left the game in the second quarter with an ankle injury and did not return.